StackOverflow hit hard by chatbots

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In summary, StackOverflow has experienced significant challenges due to the rise of chatbots, which are increasingly providing quick answers to coding questions. This shift has led to a decline in user engagement on the platform, as developers turn to AI tools for instant solutions. The changing landscape raises concerns about the future of community-driven knowledge sharing and the sustainability of StackOverflow's model in the face of advancing AI technologies.
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  • #2
Interesting.
Though from my calculations, it's not that many people: ≈150 (ref: company blog and maths)
I find it amazing that someone paid $1.8 billion for it just 2 years ago. (ref: wiki)
But I'm curious how this works. How much does Stack Overflow pay the people who developed ChatGPT for its use? And who monitors its answers? I've tried several times to get answers from several AI bots regarding computer programming and not a single one was successful in answering any of my questions.
 
  • #3
OmCheeto said:
I've tried several times to get answers from several AI bots regarding computer programming and not a single one was successful in answering any of my questions.

A programmer friend of mine, and a guy I rather trust when it comes to technological subjects, claims that GitHub's Copilot saves him several hours per week - generating in no time code that requires supervision, but is good enough as a starting point to shorten development time.
 
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Likes Borg
  • #4
I use Chat GPT the same way. It provides an excellent starting point in developing code that would take a significant amount of time to build manually. When there is an error, I point it out and it fixes it. This leaves me a lot more time to work on larger design ideas that I can also work on with GPT in a similar fashion. It greatly speeds up the iterative processes involved with coding.
 

FAQ: StackOverflow hit hard by chatbots

What is the impact of chatbots on StackOverflow?

Chatbots have significantly increased the volume of questions and answers on StackOverflow, often generating low-quality or repetitive content. This influx can overwhelm human users and moderators, making it harder to find and maintain high-quality information.

How are chatbots being used on StackOverflow?

Chatbots are used to automate the process of asking and answering questions. They can scrape existing content, generate responses based on patterns, or even use advanced AI to craft more sophisticated answers. However, their lack of nuanced understanding often leads to subpar contributions.

What measures is StackOverflow taking to combat chatbot-generated content?

StackOverflow is implementing stricter moderation policies, using machine learning algorithms to detect and filter out chatbot-generated content. They are also encouraging community reporting and enhancing CAPTCHA systems to prevent automated submissions.

Why are chatbots problematic for StackOverflow's community?

Chatbots can dilute the quality of content on StackOverflow, making it difficult for users to find reliable answers. They can also undermine the community-driven ethos of the platform, where human expertise and collaboration are highly valued.

Can chatbots be beneficial for StackOverflow in any way?

While chatbots can pose challenges, they also have potential benefits if used responsibly. They can help manage repetitive queries, provide quick responses to common questions, and assist in content moderation. The key is to balance automation with human oversight to maintain quality.

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